32:1 | See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. |
32:2 | Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. |
32:3 | Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. |
32:4 | The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. |
32:5 | No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. |
32:6 | For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water. |
32:7 | The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. |
32:8 | But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. |
32:9 | You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! |
32:10 | In little more than a year you who feel secure will tremble; the grape harvest will fail, and the harvest of fruit will not come. |
32:11 | Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you daughters who feel secure! Strip off your clothes, put sackcloth around your waists. |
32:12 | Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines |
32:13 | and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers--yes, mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry. |
32:14 | The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks, |
32:15 | till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. |
32:16 | Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. |
32:17 | The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. |
32:18 | My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. |
32:19 | Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, |
32:20 | how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free. |
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